Yes on Prop. 32: Labor bosses’ clout hurts voters

It was once said, “Money in politics is like air in a balloon: Any time you compress it one place it’s going to pop out somewhere else.” Unfortunately, there is a tremendous amount of truth to this political adage and sayings similar to it are frequently used as reasons not to vote for any reforms.

So when Californians are inundated with government employee union-funded TV and radio ads that claim Proposition 32 isn’t really what it seems because it would exempt corporations and businesses from the very reforms the initiative espouses, voters are inclined to believe the claims. The truth, however, is that Prop. 32 – the Stop Special Interest Money Initiative – does exactly what the official ballot summary provided by the Secretary of State says it does:

“Prohibits unions from using payroll-deducted funds for political purposes. Applies same use prohibition to payroll deductions, if any, by corporations or government contractors. Prohibits unions and corporations from contributing directly or indirectly to candidates and candidate-controlled committees.”

That means Prop. 32 would help block the flow of money that allows government employee unions and special interest lobbyists to control politicians. There are no exceptions.

This reform is a game-changer, which is why powerful union bosses are spending tens of millions of dollars to oppose Prop. 32.

“The state’s teachers union has given the opposition nearly $18 million of its members’ dues. The largest union for state workers has given nearly $6 million. State, county and city employee unions have given nearly $3 million more. And other unions make up almost all the rest of the No on 32 funding,” Gloria Romero, a former Democratic state senator from Los Angeles County, wrote recently in The Orange County Register in an op-ed supporting Prop. 32.

The unions have poured more money into opposing Prop. 32 since Romero’s op-ed was published September 28. As of October 9, the “no” side had raised more than $51 million ... compared to about $9 million from the “yes” side.

In addition to cutting-off automatic contributions for political purposes, Prop. 32 prohibits government contractors from making contributions to elected officials who approve their contracts. That’s a simple and important reform that would end the pay-to-play culture where contractors can bribe politicians for taxpayer-funded contracts.

While unions have made an industry out of collecting political funds from automatic payroll deductions from government employees, Prop. 32 ensures that every political contribution — whether from a teacher or corporate executive – is made voluntarily. Never again will someone have to see their hard-earned money spent on candidates or causes they don’t believe in.

This is especially important to political action committees (PACs) like The Lincoln Club of San Diego County, which has led several campaigns during the past few years to reform local government spending, encourage business growth and protect taxpayers. The Club does not have the luxury of relying on payroll withholding for contributions from its members. We raise the money we use to promote candidates and ballot measures the old-fashioned way: We ask for it.

Opponents of Prop. 32 are desperately trying to convince voters it silences union members. Nonsense. Union and nonunion government employees would still be able to contribute to the political causes they support through direct deposit and automatic credit card payments. The difference under Prop 32, however, is that they would have to choose to do so annually, without having to go through the onerous process of “opting out” of contributing to the union’s PAC – a process that often leads to the union members being harassed for not being team players.

Prop. 32 isn’t about shifting the balance of power between special interests in Sacramento. It’s about making politicians less accountable to special interests and more accountable to voters.

Proposition 32 may not be the panacea that proponents claim it to be, and it’s definitely not the End of Days that the opponents claim it to be, but there’s no mistaking this: it’s one giant squeeze of the political money balloon. Voters should take every opportunity, like voting YES on Prop. 32, to squeeze the balloon in as many places as possible until it pops.